My, what strange ears you have!

Frogs and hearing: It’s true that frogs do not have outside ears that direct sound inward to the eardrum as humans do. Butmost frogs do have an eardrum of sorts, an inner ear, and a middle ear. They hear with these structures and one more – their lungs! A frog has an unbroken air link from the lungs to the eardrums. Scientists think this link serves two purposes: to help the frog locate sound and possibly to protect its ears from its own raucous calls.

You can learn more about these remarkable life forms by visiting the Frogs! A Chorus of Color exhibit at the National Aquarium. Frogs are among the most visually stunning, vocally pleasing, and adaptive life forms on earth, but their chorus is fading due habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution. The beauty and elegance of frogs is often overlooked, but we invite you to take a closer look! And a good listen!